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JWsleep · 10-31-2005, 09:07 PM

While I worry you may be right, Beems, I still think back to our debates prior to last year--we thought that the line defense against the run would be a weak spot, and that turned out not to be the case. So I think these coaches can make do with less than all-star talent there.

As for the stats against the run, what is worrisome is the big play, not the average against. Take out Barbers big runs and the D's average is not bad, even in a game where they ran way more plays than we did. But the big play is killing us. I'm not sure that that's the D-line getting hurt there as much as trouble with the second level--LBs over pursuing, DBs taking bad angles, etc. We need our D linemen to clog things up so our LBs can make plays against the run. I think we have guys that can do that. BUt if the scheme is giving up the big play a few times a game, we are in trouble.

BTW, I didn't think any player escaped YOUR criticism! That was a general comment for those who select a few choice guys to blame, while missing the team's overall failure.

Still, I think we can fix this. We are not as bad as we looked on Sunday. I do believe that Gibbs can find ways to motivate his players and get some positive out of this debacle. We'll see!

10-31-2005, 09:07 PM	#18
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 56 Posts: 4,719	Re: 3 things from a very optimisitc fan. While I worry you may be right, Beems, I still think back to our debates prior to last year--we thought that the line defense against the run would be a weak spot, and that turned out not to be the case. So I think these coaches can make do with less than all-star talent there. As for the stats against the run, what is worrisome is the big play, not the average against. Take out Barbers big runs and the D's average is not bad, even in a game where they ran way more plays than we did. But the big play is killing us. I'm not sure that that's the D-line getting hurt there as much as trouble with the second level--LBs over pursuing, DBs taking bad angles, etc. We need our D linemen to clog things up so our LBs can make plays against the run. I think we have guys that can do that. BUt if the scheme is giving up the big play a few times a game, we are in trouble. BTW, I didn't think any player escaped YOUR criticism! That was a general comment for those who select a few choice guys to blame, while missing the team's overall failure. Still, I think we can fix this. We are not as bad as we looked on Sunday. I do believe that Gibbs can find ways to motivate his players and get some positive out of this debacle. We'll see! __________________ Hail from Houston!